Dear Returning Students

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Welcome to the start of the 2008-09 academic year! We are excited about your return to campus and the arrival of our 1400 new undergraduate students. I encourage you to make an effort to welcome the new students and take advantage of the many resources and opportunities UNH has to offer.

Sophomores: Sophomore year is a time when you have a number of choices to make as you reconnect with friends, faculty and staff at UNH. Some of you may experience feelings of indecision, being lost or depressed. These feelings are experienced by many students at sometime during their sophomore year so know that you are not alone.

If you are feeling a lack of motivation, uncertainty about being in college, continuing with your major or your career choice coupled with a lack of energy, motivation and difficulty sleeping, it is important to seek assistance from a Residential Life staff member, your advisor, the Counseling Center or a university faculty or staff member.

I encourage you to get involved in a club or organization if you didn’t do so your freshman year, meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic plan and career goals, find a mentor on campus, start planning for an internship or study abroad experience, and update your student success plan with the Office of Career Development.

To assist you, we have developed a Sophomore Experience website which can be found at: http://www.newhaven.edu/student-life/22802/. This site will link you to the resources that are designed to assist you this year.

Juniors: You are already half way through your college experience and are probably wondering how the last two years went by so quickly. Your junior year is a time to consolidate all of your experiences to date.

Some of you have made plans to study abroad next semester, others will take on leadership positions and serve as mentors to freshmen and sophomores, focus on internships, coops or off campus jobs which enhance your learning experience and prepare you for your career. A visit to the Experiential Education Office is a must for all juniors.

As a junior, you will be challenged to balance a more demanding course load along with your co-curricular activities. Please be sure to take advantage of the resources offered here at UNH.

Seniors: As a senior, you are beginning to prepare to leave the university and this year will be filled with “last times” as you move toward graduation and membership in the UNH Alumni Association. Your courses will be even more demanding, many of you will have an internship requirement to fulfill, and you will finalize your resume and begin the job search or apply to graduate school.

As leaders in the residence halls, student government, athletics, clubs and organizations and in the classroom you will serve as a mentor other students. Senior year is a time to bring closure to your college experience and reflect on all that you have learned both academically and personally.

All of you no doubt have noticed a number of changes on campus since you left in May.The new residence hall is rising quickly and you are invited to a topping off ceremony on September 25th at 11a.m.

The ATM on campus will change to a Wachovia Bank ATM at the end of September.Please go to http://www.newhaven.edu/student-life/ for information on the new parking regulations, lot designations and how to get your 2008-09 validation sticker.

We have expanded the shuttle service and all resident students will have access to the Connecticut Transit bus system.

The Campus Center underwent a renovation last spring and you will find new furnishings, a fireplace and an information desk which will be staffed by students.

The Dining Hall has received a fresh coat of paint and is currently undergoing a renovation which will be completed by mid-October. When the renovations are finished, there will be booth seating in the alcoves, new tables, and electrical access for laptops.

The Dean of Students Office is always available to assist you with any question or concern you may have. Best wishes for a successful year. We are glad you are back!

Sincerely, Rebecca Johnson-Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students